Will you answer the call?

[Atragon9 0]

... Will you answer the call?

 

::he pauses to note the reactions from the crew as they see their names reassigned to "USS MANTICORE" and he deflects some questions about "what Manticore?" He waits until the room grows more quiet, as he stands at the podium::

 

Thank you, it looks like you're still with us ::smiles:: Captain Sovak and I have just received some disturbing news and it looks like the Federation still has a need for Special Operations after all and that is why we are being reactivated.

 

::presses a button on his PADD and the roster lists are replaced by other images::

 

This is the USS Exeter ::points to a screen behind him:: it is a Cheyenne-class Science ship. It was last seen heading to the Tanemo-9 to catalog it. When it was two weeks past its check-in, the fleet re-routed the Clarendon, a cargo carrier, to Tanemo to investigate. As they approached the system, they picked up a lifepod, almost out of air, floating in space. Inside was an officer of the Exeter, Lt. Harris Snelling, the ship's navigator ::points to a stock image of Snelling from his personnel files that was being displayed next to the Exeter:: Lt. Snelling was not conscious when he was recovered and he never regained consciousness, as he died in the Clarendon's sickbay of internal injuries. The injuries were consistent with that of torture victims, as opposed to accident or battle damage. In addition, there were clear indications of a type of personal weapon being used on him that matches the ceremonial "pain sticks" used by Klingons in coming-of-age rituals.

 

The Clarendon proceeded to Tanemo-9 and found the Exeter, or what looked to be parts of the Exeter, in orbit with many small crafts around it ::points again to a short-range sensor image of Tanemo-9 and a mass of ship equipment in orbit around it:: The Clarendon's captain believes they were of Klingon design, but he is not sure as his ship was fired upon from the surface of the planet by an energy beam that nearly crippled his ship with one shot. He retreated, so as to not become another casualty, like the Exeter, and is enroute to Starbase One now. The fleet is analyzing the energy weapon's signature and they want us to examine both the ship and the body from the Exeter.

 

Coming so close to the Klingon-Federation Alliance Anniversary celebration this month, the Federation Council wants this investigated fully, but quietly, and realizes that there *IS* a use for Black Ops.

 

I have been asked to help Captain Sovak and the crew on this, as I have been returned to Command status and they need someone of my clearance level, depending on how deep this investigation will take us. As for a vessel to do our work from, the Council has been a bit vague on the subject. My thoughts are that they are trying to find us a ship and that speed is of the essence.

 

::pauses and looks at their faces as they take in what he has told them, along with the images of the Exeter, Lt. Snelling and Tanemo-9::

 

That is all the information I have now. We will reconvene tomorrow at 0930 hours (i.e., the next sim), thank you.

 

::he turns and walks to Sovak and they exit the main hall together, the displayed images fading as they leave::